For Aspiring Writers

Many times when people find out I’m a writer they’ll say, “I always wanted to write a book too.” My answer? “That’s great. You should do it.” All the while I’m aware that most of them were just making conversation, but if you really want to write, here are a few items for you to consider.

First, decide what kind of book you want to write. Biography? Romance? Science Fiction?  I feel that you need to nail that down before you get started. Once you’ve figured that out you might want to see if your type of book is selling well in the current market. This might make a difference when it comes to sales. Naturally if you write a book you’d like for people to read it.

Second, don’t think you’re finished after you type The End on your manuscript. If you want your book to do well it will need to be edited. I spend lots more time editing than I do writing, and I always find errors even after myself and a professional editor have gone through the manuscript. Sometimes they’re so small no one would notice them except me, but I want my book to be as close to perfect as possible.

Third, you have to decide whether you will try to self publish the book or send it to a publishing house. There are pros and cons either way so do your research. I’ve always had a publishing house do my books. I don’t know if I’m technologically savvy enough to do it myself.

Fourth, and this one may just be the most important one, don’t get discouraged. With patience and effort you can work out any issue with your story. Just don’t quit. The same thing is true if you send your manuscript to a publisher and they reject it. Don’t quit. What may be wrong for one publisher may be just right for another.

Lastly, enjoy yourself. Write for the sheer pleasure of writing. Tell your story and enjoy every single minute of the experience. Find a group of authors you can interact with whether it’s online or in the real world. You’ll learn from each other, and you’ll have a really good support system to cheer you on.

Good luck!

Beyond the Book: Many Genres

What genres do I read and why is the question we’re discussing this week. It’s a hard one for me to answer because I’ve read a lot of different genres.

I guess romance is right there at the top of the list. I like to write romance, which I don’t think I could do if I didn’t enjoy it. Romances by nature are emotional, and I do like a book that engages my emotions. Most of them have a happily ever after ending, which is so satisfying. People like to think that things can work out in our imperfect world.

I also enjoy reading alternative history. I read one book where the Nazis won World War II. It was very tense, but it did have a good ending. I guess most of us have wondered ‘what if’ at some time or other.

I used to read Stephen King and scare myself to death. I still shiver when I think of Salem’s Lot or Pet Cemetery. I can’t do that anymore, though. I don’t like being scared to go to bed.

I’ve also read a lot of young adult novels. I worked in the school system for thirty five years, and I wanted to be able to recommend something for the kids to read. I also was curious about what they were reading and liked. I read Twilight because that was what the kids were reading.

Science fiction can be fun if it doesn’t bog down in too many technological details as can cozy mysteries, dystopian fiction, westerns, and thrillers. I used Blue 52 as an example of a cross genre novel. It’s a cross between a mystery, thriller, romance with a dash of science fiction thrown in.

So, what about you? Do you have a favorite genre, or do you read all over like me?

Beyond the Book: Covid 19 Distraction

Since we’ve been staying inside due to Covid 19 I find that I’m reading a lot more than usual. I finished my last book pretty late one evening, and I didn’t want to start something new so late. Well, I pulled out my Kindle and decided I’d look over one of my own books. I picked Blue 52, which was always one of my favorites. Well, I read until pretty late that night.  I still love Blue 52. I’d like to share a blurb and excerpt with you. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Blurb:

“First Lady Kills President Lovinggood!”

December 5, 2018

Thirty years later, Hank Lovinggood embarks on a quest to prove his mother’s innocence and punish the killers who took his family from him. Together Hank and lovely physicist Dr. Kathryn Sinclair confront an implacable, twisted, and merciless enemy who’ll do whatever it takes to hide the truth forever.

Excerpt: This excerpt comes from the beginning of the story after Hank decides to start a new investigation into the murders. His Aunt Joan has amazing information for him. Aunt Joan speaks first. (Hank’s Uncle Scott was in the FBI. He was killed along with his daughters Tori and Toni.)

“How about starting with your Uncle Scott’s private files?”

“What private files?” Hank demanded as a shaft of excitement pierced him and set his heart racing. He set his cup on the coffee table and leaned forward. “Didn’t the FBI take everything from his office after he died?”

“Mostly, yes, but there’s one or two files left. I managed to hide them before the FBI got here. They searched his home office as well as his office at work, you know.”

“Why did you hide those files?” Hank asked.

“Because I think they pertain to Richard’s death, and I had no idea who I could trust. If Scott really was onto something, those files had to remain a secret or no Lovinggood would have been safe.”

Hank’s mouth went dry. “I think you’d better explain. If you had information that would have brought the killers to justice, you should have turned it over to the police.”

Her hands fisted. “The time wasn’t right. Originally, I planned to show the files to Dad once he got over Richard’s death, but as you know he never got over it. Then I decided to wait for you to grow up and give the files to you, but you didn’t seem like a man who’d know what to do with them. Not until now, anyway. You’ve changed, Hank, and that’s why I’ve brought you here.” Excitement filled her face as her eyes bored into his.

“As you know, the case against your mother seemed airtight. No one suggested a conspiracy or any kind of cover up. It seemed so straightforward they didn’t even bother to seal the investigation records. Every i was dotted, every t was crossed. No one doubted Elizabeth had shot and killed Richard. I don’t mind telling you I bitterly hated her, but Scott didn’t seem angry at all.

“I confronted him about it maybe three months after the murder. He said he thought things were almost too neat. He said in real life investigations were usually a little messier. He said Elizabeth wasn’t a violent person; it was out of character for her to shoot someone.

“I asked him if he had any proof she hadn’t done it. He said no, but I started to watch him and soon figured out he was working on something. One night, I walked into the study while he was in the bathroom. I saw Josh Stanton’s name on an open file. He rushed back into the room and slammed it shut before I could read it.

“This went on for almost a year. I teased him and carried on until he finally admitted he thought someone had framed Elizabeth.”

A look of incredible anguish crossed Joan’s face. “Two weeks after we had that conversation, he was dead. So were the girls. I suspect Scott too was murdered. I think he found out something so big the real murderers were afraid to let him live.” She fell silent and clenched her jaw.

Hank had never imagined his Uncle Scott’s death had been anything but an accident. If someone had murdered Scott to keep him from revealing what he knew, there really was a conspiracy! “I’m so sorry,” he said. He wanted to give Joan a hug of compassion and sympathy, but the cold glitter in her eyes warned him she wouldn’t appreciate his pity.

“I’m sorry too,” she said. “Torie would be thirty-eight and Toni thirty-five.” She sighed. “It’s hard to believe so much time has gone by.”

Hank gave her a pat on the shoulder anyway. They both knew far too much about grief and loss. “So, what do you think we should do now?”

Joan grabbed his hand and squeezed so hard it was genuinely painful. “I want you to go through the files. I want you to see if you think Scott was onto something. If so, I want you to nail them. I want them punished for every holiday we spent without our loved ones. I want them to suffer for every dance recital they cheated my girls of. I want their heads for every ball game you ever played that your father didn’t see. I want the whole world to know your mother was no murderer, and my Scott was smart enough to see through their horrible schemes. Get them, Hank, and if I can help you, I will.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Hank softly replied as his eyes caught fire and his blood roared in his ears. “Get the files for me.”

My Love Affair With Books

My love affair with books began when my parents read Little Golden Books to me.  I remember one that especially impressed me.  I wish I could remember the title, but it’s long gone.  It was about a family of pigs who were so messy no one would go to see them.  After they finally cleaned up their house, they had tons of visitors.  I also remember a book about Woody Woodpecker.  After my mother read that one to me, I wrote my first story which I dictated to my father who wrote it in pencil on a piece of notebook paper.  I was every bit of five years old then.  

Later, after I learned to read, my mother made a treat out going to the library each week.  The minute she got home from work she’d take my sister and me to the library.  Afterward, we’d go to eat hot dogs at the local diner.  It wasn’t anything special, but at an early age we learned to associate reading with good times.  

Having learned to love reading, I was never without a good book close by.  I read so many good ones!  Black Beauty, Little Women, Anne of Green Gables, The Sherwood Ring, the Trixie Belden mysteries, My Friend Flicka, the Black Stallion series, the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew, and so many more!  I wish I could remember them all. 

I was content to be a reader until about ten years ago.  I had gone through a period where nothing special caught my fancy.  At the same time my son wrote a book.  I decided to give it a try too.  To my surprise, it totally captivated me.  I spent long hours before the computer writing the kind of story I wanted to read and couldn’t find.  I became totally addicted to writing.  I even took my computer with me on vacation so I wouldn’t miss a single day writing.

Did I stop reading because I was now an author?  No indeed.  If you’ll check my Goodreads page you’ll find a sample of the things I’ve read in the recent past.  I just finished Careless in Scarlett.

Whenever I need an escape from my reality, books are always there to provide it.  My life is richer today because of all the wonderful things I’ve read in the past, and I know my future will be filled with many more happy hours reading.  Parents, read in front of your kids.  Teach them to love books.  Their lives will be richer for it. 

Beyond the Book: The Most Romantic Books of All Time

What are the most romantic books of all time?

Well, that’s an interesting question with no set answers. Your list is probably different from mine, but here’s what I think.

1.Gone With the Wind. When Rhett grabbed Scarlett and ran up those stairs, it took my breath away. Clark Gable who played Rhett in the movie was the perfect actor for the job. His portrayal of Rhett was exactly right.

2.Wuthering Heights. Even death couldn’t separate Cathy and Heathcliff.

3.Pride and Prejudice. People all over the world like this one. You can get a good feel for English life in the 1800’s too.

4. The Sherwood Ring. This is a young adult book. I read it a long time ago and was totally enchanted by it. So much so, that my heroine in my WIP is named Aimee Sherwood.

5.The Bronze Horseman. It’s heart wrenching, wonderful, and at the end I vowed never to read another book by Paullina Simons. That was before I found out there was a sequel.

6. Return Engagement. His father broke them up ten years ago, but when they meet by chance on a California beach, the sparks fly.

What’s that? You don’t think I should include Return Engagement because I wrote it? What can I say? It’s super romantic and makes my heart just melt.  Return Engagement as well as its sequel Blue 52 are available at Amazon and Whiskey Creek Press.

Saturday Sample: Blue 52

Welcome to Saturday Sample. For the past few weeks I've been sharing samples from Blue 52. So far we've learned that President Richard Lovinggood was murdered by his wife who then committed suicide. Their son Hank was raised by his grandfather Senator Henry Lovinggood. A new high speed train is coming through the cemetery where President Lovinggood is buried, and Hank has made plans to open the coffins once they are disinterred so he can see his parents. He was only 3 when they died, and he doesn't really remember them. His grandmother is totally against his plan and has just told him so in no uncertain terms. Shaken, his grandfather told him that his father took after his grandmother, and his volatile personality caused the Senator a lot of problems. Last week the senator revealed that he suspected President Lovinggood's vice president, Josh Stanton, might be responsible for the murders and not the first lady.

“Grandpa, lots of people have arguments. It doesn’t mean Stanton killed him.”

“Of course not, but I know Stanton wasn’t pleased with the direction in which your father was moving his administration.” A ghost of a smile chased across the old senator’s face. “I wasn’t totally pleased with it either. The mood of the country was decidedly conservative in 2016. To get elected, your father successfully concealed a few liberal beliefs. Stanton was so far to the right I think you could safely call him a reactionary. There was bound to be friction between them.”

“That still doesn’t prove his guilt.”

“Spoken like a lawyer,” Senator Lovinggood opined with a small, brief grin. “I know, Hank, but if I had it to do over, I’d put Stanton under a microscope and see what I could find.”

As a lawyer I deal in hard evidence and facts, not wild speculation. I appreciate Grandpa’s efforts on Mother’s behalf, but if the case came to court today, I’d think she was guilty. Unless every single person present that day lied, she had to be the one who did it.

Hank’s conclusion shocked him so much he gulped the last of his bourbon, coughed, and went back for another. It had taken him thirty years to admit to himself that his mother murdered his father and then committed suicide. He wondered how his grandparents could stand the sight of him. Yes, he was Richard’s son, but he was also Elizabeth’s son, and Elizabeth had killed their beloved Richard.

Senator Lovinggood finished his bourbon and set his glass on the coffee table. “I think I’ll go and find your grandmother. If I don’t eat a little humble pie, she won’t have dinner, and she needs to eat.”

“Sure, Grandpa. That’ll give me time to get a shower.”

Hank set his own glass on the bar and jogged up the stairs. His head buzzed and felt strangely disconnected from his body. He wished he knew what his father had done to his mother, but at this late date they’d never know for sure. Frankly though, it didn’t matter what his father had done. Nothing justified murder. Nothing.

Of course, the senator who had known his mother well always staunchly defended her. Still... Why bother to even think about it? Nothing could change the past now. 

Blue 52 is available at http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com and at both Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Saturday Sample: Blue 52

Welcome to Saturday Sample. For the past few weeks I've been sharing samples from Blue 52. So far we've learned that President Richard Lovinggood was murdered by his wife who then committed suicide. Their son Hank was raised by his grandfather Senator Henry Lovinggood. A new high speed train is coming through the cemetery where President Lovinggood is buried, and Hank has made plans to open the coffins once they are disinterred so he can see his parents. He was only 3 when they died, and he doesn't really remember them. His grandmother is totally against his plan and has just told him so in no uncertain terms. Shaken, his grandfather told him that his father took after his grandmother, and his volatile personality caused the Senator a lot of problems. Last week, the senator reminded Hank that his father rescued his mother when she was kidnapped and shot. Both he and Hank's father were at the hospital where this excerpt took place. This week, the senator tells Hank some startling news.

The senator reclaimed Hank’s attention by clearing his throat. The light had died from his eyes. “There’s one thing you can be sure of, Hank. Your mother did not shoot your father. I know what the investigation revealed, but every word of it is a damned lie.”

Hank froze. His grandparents never talked about his father’s death. “Then who did it?”

Senator Lovinggood shrugged. “No way to tell now, but if I hadn’t been so broken up over losing Richard, I would have focused the investigation on Vice President Stanton.”

“Stanton!” Hank’s heart pounded so hard it almost hurt.

“Oh, yes. Several days before the murders, Richard and Stanton had one hell of an argument.”

Hank intently leaned forward in his chair and grimaced as he sipped his bourbon. Foul stuff. How can Grandpa stand it? “Do you know what they quarreled about?”

Senator Lovinggood shook his head. “All I know is that Richard left a message for me saying they’d had the mother of all arguments, and he needed to talk to me as soon as possible.”

“Why didn’t he tell you about it when you returned his call?”

The senator’s face drooped with regret and sorrow. “I never returned his call. I had gone to Paris with your grandmother. By the time I got his message, he was already dead.”

A cold chill seized Hank when he thought of how it must have been to hear his father’s voice on that phone after his death 

Blue 52 is available at Amazon.com or at http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com

Saturday Sample: Blue 52

Welcome to Saturday Sample. For the past few weeks I've been sharing samples from Blue 52. So far we've learned that President Richard Lovinggood was murdered by his wife who then committed suicide. Their son Hank was raised by his grandfather Senator Henry Lovinggood. A new high speed train is coming through the cemetery where President Lovinggood is buried, and Hank has made plans to open the coffins once they are disinterred so he can see his parents. He was only 3 when they died, and he doesn't really remember them. His grandmother is totally against his plan and has just told him so in no uncertain terms. Shaken, his grandfather told him that his father took after his grandmother, and his volatile personality caused the Senator a lot of problems. When we left off last week, the senator had reminded Hank that his father rescued his mother when she was kidnapped and shot. Both he and Hank's father were at the hospital where this excerpt took place.

“Your mother was wounded when she deliberately took a bullet meant for me. Richard, your grandmother Lane, and I stayed all night with her at the hospital, and the next morning while
your dad was taking a shower, Elizabeth’s old fiancé showed up to visit her.”

Senator Lovinggood paused to take another sip of his drink. His hands had steadied. “It’s a shame Elizabeth’s mother died when you were so small. You’d have liked her.

“Anyway, I stupidly let the man come in because I knew he had to be worried. It had only been a short time since he and Elizabeth broke up, so I thought he should be allowed to talk to your grandmother for a minute while your dad was in the shower.”

The senator’s eyes started to sparkle. “Well, it didn’t work out like I planned. Your dad came out of the bathroom to find a towel, and he saw Alex—that was the guy’s name. They exchanged a few insults, and Alex hit your dad. He came up swinging, and it took every man in the room to separate them.”

“Who else was there?” Hank interrupted.

“Your uncle Scott was there, and so was Richard’s boss, Austin Fields.”
“Go on.”
“We got them separated,” the senator continued, “but Richard taunted Alex; he said some really nasty things to him. Then, Alex broke free and charged across the room.

“Richard jerked to the side, so he didn’t get hit, but I did.” Senator Lovinggood chuckled. “It made me so mad I hit him back. Knocked him down too.

“By that time we’d made such a commotion hospital security arrived. Dick Whitney, Elizabeth’s doctor, threw every one of us out, even your father. All the way to the parking lot Richard and I worried about what your grandmother would say when she saw us. We both looked like we’d been in a fist fight, which of course we had.”

A lump came to rest in Hank’s stomach. I wish I hadn’t heard this story. I thought Grandpa would tell me something bad, well, not bad maybe, but something that proves Dad wasn’t perfect. Instead, he told me about an adventure the two of them enjoyed together. And they did enjoy it. They got into a fight and had a fine time doing it.

He and his grandfather didn’t have that kind of relationship. They’d never brawl in the hospital or any other place for that matter. 

Blue 52 is available at http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com or Amazon.com

Saturday Sample: Blue 52

Welcome to Saturday Sample. For the past few weeks I've been sharing samples from Blue 52. So far we've learned that President Richard Lovinggood was murdered by his wife who then committed suicide. Their son Hank was raised by his grandfather Senator Henry Lovinggood. A new high speed train is coming through the cemetery where President Lovinggood is buried, and Hank has made plans to open the coffins once they are disinterred so he can see his parents. He was only 3 when they died, and he doesn't really remember them. His grandmother is totally against his plan and has just told him so in no uncertain terms. Shaken, his grandfather told me that his father took after his grandmother, and his volatile personality caused the Senator a lot of problems. The 'he' in the first paragraph is Hank's father. The senator is the first speaker.

A ghost of a smile crossed his grandfather’s face. “Did I ever tell you about the time he and I got thrown out of the hospital?”

Hank shook his head. “What happened?”

“You know when he worked for the FBI, he rescued your mother and me when we got kidnapped, right?”

Hank nodded. “Yes, I know about that—some guy trying to get revenge on Dad for arresting his brother.”

“That’s right.” The senator groaned and stuffed a brocade cushion behind his back. Hank knew his grandfather’s arthritis had been bothering him lately. “Your mother was wounded when she deliberately took a bullet meant for me. Richard, your grandmother Lane, and I stayed all night with her at the hospital, and the next morning while your dad was taking a shower, Elizabeth’s old fiancé showed up to visit her.” 


We'll pick up here next week. The scene at the hospital reveals Richard's character very well.  Blue 52 is available at http://www.whiskeycreekpress and Amazon.com

Saturday Sample: Blue 52

Welcome to Saturday Sample. For the past few weeks I've been sharing samples from Blue 52. So far we've learned that President Richard Lovinggood was murdered by his wife who then committed suicide. Their son Hank was raised by his grandfather Senator Henry Lovinggood. A new high speed train is coming through the cemetery where President Lovinggood is buried, and Hank has made plans to open the coffins once they are disinterred so he can see his parents. He was only 3 when they died, and he doesn't really remember them. His grandmother is totally against his plan and has just told him so in no uncertain terms.

“I need a drink,” Senator Lovinggood declared, his voice shaking. “Pour us a bourbon, Hank.”

Hank didn’t like bourbon, but he poured a drink for himself anyway. His father had liked bourbon, which might be why he disliked it; he really didn’t know.

He passed the drink to his grandfather, whose hands looked a bit unsteady. “She didn’t mean it, you know. Elaine was excitable from the first day I met her. You can be grateful she’s mellowed over the years.”

Hank grimaced as he sat down. “She didn’t seem too mellow to me.”

“Oh, she was fired up tonight, but she’s not nearly as high strung as she used to be.” The senator took a long swallow from his glass. “Your dad took after her. It used to cause me no end of trouble.”

Hank cocked his head and leaned forward. “What kind of trouble?” I’ve never heard Grandpa even hint that Dad wasn’t perfect. 

Blue 52 is available at http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com and at Amazon.com

Saturday Sample: Blue 52

Welcome to Saturday Sample. For the past few weeks I've been sharing samples from Blue 52. So far we've learned that President Richard Lovinggood was murdered by his wife who then committed suicide. Their son Hank was raised by his grandfather Senator Henry Lovinggood. A new high speed train is coming through the cemetery where President Lovinggood is buried, and Hank has made plans to open the coffins once they are disinterred so he can see his parents. He was only 3 when they died, and he doesn't really remember them.

My heroine Kathryn Sinclair learned about this plan from her uncle who is the director of the funeral home where the president's body will go. Her employer tells her to set up a meeting with Hank after he sees his parents. Last week she said she hoped it went well so she could be in the history books and have the satisfaction of righting a terrible wrong. In today's scene, Hank's grandmother has found out that he wishes to view his parents' remains. I'm picking up where I left off last Saturday.

His grandmother whirled around so fast she almost lost her balance and coldly attacked. “The Sinclair Mortuary called today. They left a message for you.”

“Oh?”

Her face turned cherry red. “You can drop the innocent act with me, young man! Have you totally lost your wits? Your mother and father died thirty years ago! Do you think you can pop the coffin lids and see them as they were in life?”

“Grandma...”

“Don’t interrupt me. This is crazy. You don’t need to see...” She broke off for a moment as a spasm of grief contorted her face. “This is all your doing, Henry. You raised Richard to be a hawk, but you’ve raised Hank to be a damned mourning dove!”

Hank flinched as if she’d struck him with her fists instead of her words. So his grandfather wasn’t the only one who compared him unfavorably to his father. A mourning dove! 

Blue 52 is available at www.whiskeycreekpress.com and at Amazon.com

Saturday Sample: Blue 52

Welcome to Saturday Sample. For the past few weeks I've been sharing samples from Blue 52. So far we've learned that President Richard Lovinggood was murdered by his wife who then committed suicide. Their son Hank was raised by his grandfather Senator Henry Lovinggood. A new high speed train is coming through the cemetery where President Lovinggood is buried, and Hank has made plans to open the coffins once they are disinterred so he can see his parents. He was only 3 when they died, and he doesn't really remember them.

My heroine Kathryn Sinclair learned about this plan from her uncle who is the director of the funeral home where the president's body will go. Her employer tells her to set up a meeting with Hank after he sees his parents. Last week she said she hoped it went well so she could be in the history books and have the satisfaction of righting a terrible wrong. In today's scene, Hank's grandmother has found out that he wishes to view his parents' remains.

God, I’ve had an awful day. 

Hank slung his briefcase into the backseat and ripped off his tie. From the moment he’d gotten out of bed this morning, things had gone wrong. At times like this he wondered why he had ever wanted to be a lawyer anyway, especially a prosecutor. He had felt confident of a conviction, but at the last minute the defense blindsided him, and the slime ball had walked. Some lawyer I turned out to be.

He entered the flow of late afternoon traffic and turned his car toward home. I hope I’ll have time for a good, long soak in the tub before dinner. I need it to get the kinks out of my shoulders and back.

Hank knew he’d have to wait for his bath the minute he opened the front door. His grandmother and grandfather shouted so loudly at each other that the pictures almost danced on the walls. He heard his own name mentioned more than once. His shoulders knotted again. He had a good idea why.

“I heard the two of you yelling several blocks from here,” he reproached as he entered the living room. 

Blue 52 is available at http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com and amazon.com

Saturday Sample: Blue 52

Welcome to Saturday Sample. For the past few weeks I've been sharing samples from Blue 52. So far we've learned that President Richard Lovinggood was murdered by his wife who then committed suicide. Their son Hank was raised by his grandfather Senator Henry Lovinggood. A new high speed train is coming through the cemetery where President Lovinggood is buried, and Hank has made plans to open the coffins once they are disinterred so he can see his parents. He was only 3 when they died, and he doesn't really remember them.

My heroine Kathryn Sinclair learned about this plan from her uncle who is the director of the funeral home where the president's body will go. Her employer tells her to set up a meeting with Hank after he sees his parents. Last week she said she hoped it went well so she could be in the history books and have the satisfaction of righting a terrible wrong. We're picking up where I left off last week.

God, I’ve had an awful day. Hank slung his briefcase into the backseat and ripped off his tie. From the moment he’d gotten out of bed this morning, things had gone wrong. At times like this he wondered why he had ever wanted to be a lawyer anyway, especially a prosecutor. He had felt confident of a conviction, but at the last minute the defense blindsided him, and the slime ball had walked. Some lawyer I turned out to be.

He entered the flow of late afternoon traffic and turned his car toward home. I hope I’ll have time for a good, long soak in the tub before dinner. I need it to get the kinks out of my shoulders and back.

Hank knew he’d have to wait for his bath the minute he opened the front door. His grandmother and grandfather shouted so loudly at each other that the pictures almost danced on the walls. He heard his own name mentioned more than once. His shoulders knotted again. He had a good idea why.

“I heard the two of you yelling several blocks from here,” he reproached as he entered the living room. 

Blue 52 is available at http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com and at Amazon.com.

Saturday Sample: Blue 52

Welcome to Saturday Sample. For the past few weeks I've been sharing samples from Blue 52. So far we've learned that President Richard Lovinggood was murdered by his wife who then committed suicide. Their son Hank was raised by his grandfather Senator Henry Lovinggood. A new high speed train is coming through the cemetery where President Lovinggood is buried, and Hank has made plans to open the coffins once they are disinterred so he can see his parents. My heroine Kathryn Sinclair learned about this plan from her uncle who is the director of the funeral home where the president's body will go. Her employer tells her to set up a meeting with Hank after he sees his parents. Last week she said she hoped it went well so she could be in the history books and have the satisfaction of righting a terrible wrong. We're picking up where I left off last week.

*** *
God, I’ve had an awful day. Hank slung his briefcase into the backseat and ripped off his tie. From the moment he’d gotten out of bed this morning, things had gone wrong. At times like this he wondered why he had ever wanted to be a lawyer anyway, especially a prosecutor. He had felt confident of a conviction, but at the last minute the defense blindsided him, and the slime ball had walked. Some lawyer I turned out to be.

He entered the flow of late afternoon traffic and turned his car toward home. I hope I’ll have time for a good, long soak in the tub before dinner. I need it to get the kinks out of my shoulders and back.
Hank knew he’d have to wait for his bath the minute he opened the front door. His grandmother and grandfather shouted so loudly at each other that the pictures almost danced on the walls. He heard his own name mentioned more than once. His shoulders knotted again. He had a good idea why.

“I heard the two of you yelling several blocks from here,” he reproached as he entered the living room.

His grandmother whirled around so fast she almost lost her balance and coldly attacked. “The Sinclair Mortuary called today. They left a message for you.”

“Oh?”

Her face turned cherry red. “You can drop the innocent act with me, young man! Have you totally lost your wits? Your mother and father died thirty years ago! Do you think you can pop the coffin lids and see them as they were in life?”

“Grandma...”

“Don’t interrupt me. This is crazy. You don’t need to see...” She broke off for a moment as a spasm of grief contorted her face. “This is all your doing, Henry. You raised Richard to be a hawk, but you’ve raised Hank to be a damned mourning dove!” 

Blue 52 is available at Amazon and at http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com

Saturday Sample: Blue 52

Welcome to Saturday Sample. For the past few weeks I've been sharing samples from Blue 52. So far we've learned that President Richard Lovinggood was murdered by his wife who then committed suicide. Their son Hank was raised by his grandfather Senator Henry Lovinggood. A new high speed train is coming through the cemetery where President Lovinggood is buried, and Hank has made plans to open the coffins once they are disinterred so he can see his parents. My heroine Kathryn Sinclair was introduced last week. She's bringing a pizza to have lunch with her uncle who is a funeral home director. She's surprised to see so many cars bearing government license plates in the parking lot.

Kathryn grabbed the arms of the chair she had just taken to keep herself from jumping up and running to her car. “Everyone knows the bodies at Knollwood will have to be moved for the Flash Train, but why is the president’s body being brought here?”

Ira told her. “I don’t blame the boy. I’d want to see them too.”

“I suppose so,” Kathryn answered even though she didn’t know if she’d look or not. Her parents had died ten years ago in a car crash. Looking at their dead bodies now seemed a little ghoulish.

She only nibbled at her lunch. As soon as she decently could, she excused herself and hurried to her car. Thank goodness her lab was only ten minutes away. She had a phone call to make and wanted to do it on a secure line.

Reaching the lab, she parked her car in her reserved space. She found her purse under the passenger’s seat where it had fallen and dashed into her office, stopping dead in her tracks when she saw the short, blocky man who waited for her. “Mr. Curtis! I was going to call you.”

His lips quirked. “I saved you the trouble.”

“I guess you know what I was going to tell you.” 

“About the president going to Sinclair’s? Yes.”

It didn’t surprise Kathryn to find he already knew. At the last reckoning, Bill Curtis was the richest man in the world. His money could buy information as well as merchandise.

Curtis shifted in his chair. He had one of the hard plastic ones that Kathryn never used. “Are you still satisfied that the equations are correct, Kathryn?”

“Yes, sir. I’m sure. The entire team has gone over them time and time again. We’re all in agreement.”
“Then I think it’s time to make our move.” Curtis almost purred with satisfaction. “After viewing his parents’ remains, I think Hank Lovinggood will be quite receptive to our proposition. The Lovinggoods will be re-interred on November twenty-fourth, which is a Tuesday. Set up an appointment with Hank for Wednesday or Friday. We can’t bother him on Thanksgiving Day.”

Kathryn’s eyes widened. “Me? Don’t you want to talk to him yourself?”

“Of course I do.” Curtis chuckled. “But I think it’s best for you to make the initial contact. A beautiful woman will make Lovinggood sit up and take notice of what she has to say.”

Kathryn tucked a stray lock of dark hair behind her ear. “I hope he won’t think I’m some bimbo nut case.”

Curtis laughed. “If he does, I’m sure you’ll be able to change his mind.”

Kathryn hoped so. She had devoted her entire professional life to Curtis’s pet project. If they succeeded, she’d be in the history books alongside Albert Einstein. And she’d have the satisfaction of righting a dreadful wrong. 

Blue 52 is available at Amazon and at Whiskey Creek Press.

Saturday Sample

Welcome to Saturday Sample. For the past few weeks I've been sharing samples from Blue 52. So far we've learned that President Richard Lovinggood was murdered by his wife who then committed suicide. Their son Hank was raised by his grandfather Senator Henry Lovinggood. A new high speed train is coming through the cemetery where President Lovinggood is buried, and Hank has made plans to open the coffins so he can see his parents. My heroine Kathryn Sinclair was introduced last week. She's bringing a pizza to have lunch with her uncle who is a funeral home director. She's surprised to see so many cars bearing government license plates in the parking lot.

She tossed her sunglasses into the seat beside her and got out of the car. When she turned around, she saw four men walk around the side of the mortuary. One of the men carried an electronic tablet and looked as if he might be taking notes.

Kathryn took her pizza and skipped up the steps in time to meet two men dressed in well-tailored, conservative suits. They nodded as one of them held the door for her. It didn’t surprise her to see them get into one of the black sedans.

She waved to the receptionist and hurried down the hall, eager to eat that pizza before it got cold. The door to Uncle Ira’s office stood open. “Hey, who was that?” she called as she swung around the corner. “The guys in the suits.”

“Secret Service agents,” Ira answered as he took the pizza and kissed her cheek.

“Secret Service! What did they want?”

“They’re checking out the place so they can plan for security.” Ira almost vibrated with excitement. “Guess whose body will rest at Sinclair’s on November the twenty-third?”

“Whose?”

“President Lovinggood.”

Kathryn grabbed the arms of the chair she had just taken to keep herself from jumping up and running to her car. “Everyone knows the bodies at Knollwood will have to be moved for the Flash Train, but why is the president’s body being brought here?” 

The book is available at Amazon or at http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com

Saturday Sample: Blue 52

Welcome to Saturday Sample. We've finished Chapter 1 in Blue 52, but I think we'll do a little more. To recap, in 2018, President Richard Lovinggood was murdered by his wife who then took her own life. They left one son, Hank, who's been raised by his grandfather Senator Henry Lovinggood. The president and his wife are buried in California, and their bodies have to be moved to make way for a futuristic train. Hank has decided to take a look at them once they're disinterred. In Chapter 2 we meet my heroine Kathryn Sinclair.

Chapter 2
Kathryn Sinclair rubbed her eyes and fumbled in her purse for a bottle of eye drops. She had been staring at her computer screen for hours, which had caused her eyes to burn something fierce. Her head had started to hurt too, so she grabbed a pill as she rummaged around in her purse.

Thank God for Mycelfin. Prior to the drug’s release, millions of people, including herself, had suffered from migraine headaches, but one Mycelfin and the migraine was history.

She glanced at her watch. Uh oh. I worked through lunch again. Well, why not call Uncle Ira? He never ate until after one anyway, so if he wasn’t busy, she’d grab a pizza and join him for a late lunch. As she had expected, he welcomed the chance to see her.

Thirty minutes later, she arrived at the Sinclair Mortuary. Uncle Ira had started his business in an old, converted house, but you’d never guess it to look at Sinclair Mortuary now. The current facility looked tasteful, elegant, and decidedly upscale. Uncle Ira did a good job for his customers. Many of the local families had taken comfort from his gentle, empathetic manner.

The mortuary had reserved the parking spaces closest to the door for guests. She usually parked there, but today black sedans bearing government license plates filled all the spaces. Curious. 

Saturday Sample: Blue 52

Welcome to Saturday Sample. I've been sharing excerpts from Chapter 1 of Blue 52. So far we've been introduced to Senator Henry Lovinggood whose son Richard was the President of the US. The history books say that Richard's wife Elizabeth shot him, but the senator doesn't believe that. Once Richard died, the senator raised his grandson Hank. We've also learned that the president and his wife were buried in California, and now their bodies have to be moved to a new location because the state needs the land for a high tech train. The excerpt is in Hank's point of view. Williams is the man in charge of the exhumation. Blue 52 is the sequel to Return Engagement which was a publisher's bestseller. Both books are available at Amazon/B&N and at http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com. If you're curious about Return Engagement, Sunday I'm sharing excerpts from that.

I wonder if it’s too late to call Williams. Probably not. He picked up his holophone, and almost immediately a hologram of Williams filled the room.

“Hello, Mr. Lovinggood. Did your grandfather tell you I called?”

“Yes, he did. That’s what I’m calling about. I’ve decided to place my parents at Crystal Rivers Cemetery.”

Williams nodded. “I’m familiar with Crystal Rivers. It’s a good choice.”

“My grandfather said they’ll be disinterred on November twenty-third.”

Williams nodded again. “Yes, sir. We’ll do it at nine a.m. on November twenty-third. I assume you’ll want to have someone present.”

“I intend to be present myself.”

“Oh, well, that’s fine. We’ll have a military guard to escort the president’s remains to his new resting place, but we weren’t sure if you’d want any further ceremony or not.”

Hank didn’t hesitate. The media would inevitably make a huge deal out of this thing anyway. If they had any kind of ceremony, it would be that much worse. I have no desire to hear the newscasters talk about Mother. “I may have a private service for family members, but that’s all.”

“The state is responsible for the cost of opening and closing the graves, so I’ll arrange it with Crystal Rivers.”

“Good,” Hank said. “Tell them to prepare for burial on the twenty-fourth. I’ll let them know what time.”

“The twenty-fourth?” He saw surprise on Williams’ face.

“That’s right. The bodies are to be taken from Knollwood directly to The Sinclair Mortuary.”

“Yes, sir. We’ll arrange for them to be escorted on the twenty-fourth from the mortuary to Crystal Rivers.”

After they finished their call, Hank had to wipe his hands on his pants because his palms were slick with sweat. He had been so young when his parents died that he barely remembered them. He craved to see their faces as much as any addict on the street craved his next fix. Now, thanks to the Flash Train, he would get his chance.

His plan would horrify his grandmother, who could never understand his need. Both of her parents had lived to a ripe old age; she had enjoyed their company for almost all of her life.

Of course, time might have ruined his one opportunity to look upon their faces. He had taken that into account when he made his plans. The director of the Sinclair Mortuary had agreed to open the coffins and look first. If Mr. Sinclair thought best, he would close the lids, and that would be the end of it.

Hank wiped his hands again. Have I totally lost my mind? Won’t seeing them make their loss even harder to bear?

It didn’t matter. No power on earth could keep him from opening those coffins. God willing, the devouring curiosity that had tormented him for thirty long years would finally be satisfied.